Torpedo.



E. D. PRIEST.

TOHPEDO.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 1!,1916.

1 ,273,668. Patented July 23, 1918.

inventor: Ed Ward D. Priest,

by MW UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD D. PRIEST, 0F SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOE TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TOBPEDO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 23, 1918.

Application filed November 11. 1816. Serial No. 180.891.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, EDWARD D. PRIEST, a citizen of the United States, residingat Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Torpedoes, of which the following is a specification.

Dropping a missile from an aeroplane with suflicient accuracy that it will hit a ship is a very diflicult matter, and the number of hits registered is only a small proportion of the missiles dropped. One of the objects of my invention is to facilitate the destruction of a target such as a ship by means of a torpedo dropped from an aeroplane by causing the torpedo after it strikes the water to move in some predetermined path of motion, such as a spiral, so that if the torpedo strikes the water somewhere near a target, it will, in the course of its movement, come into contact with it. To this end successively adjacent or parallel portions of the course should not be separated by a space substantially greater than that occupied by the object to be attached.

In one form of my invention I provide a rudder for the torpedo and connect this rudder to the propelling mechanism in such a manner that the position of the rudder may be constantly varied so as to cover the desired area. I also provide some means such as rudders of peculiar construction which will close the propelling motor circuit when the torpedo strikes the water. In order to prevent the contact device from exploding the torpedo when it strikes the water, I place the contact device on the end of the torpedo and make the contact device and the end of the torpedo of such small area that very little pressure will be exerted on the contact device when the torpedo strikes the water. To prevent the torpedo from sinking in the water to too great a depth when it is dropped from an aeroplane; I may also provide a parachute which will permit the torpedo to drop gradually at a diminished rate of s cod, and be disengaged from the torpe o as soon as it strikes the water.

Referring to the drawings which show one embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 shows an aeroplane adapted tocarry a torpedo and having means controlled by the' operator from his se at for releasing the torpedo when desired; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the torpedo showing some of the parts in elevation; Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the torpedo showing some of the parts in elevation; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the path of travel which the torpedo may be set to pur-- sue after it strikes the water; F 5 is a view showing the torpedo suspenged from a parachute, and Fi 6 is a view showing in detail the mode 0 suspension.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawing, I have diagrammatically indicated an aeroplane at 10 having suitable propelling means indicated at 11. The torpedo 12 is shown as suspended from beneath the aeroplane having a hand operated lever and releasing device 13 and 14 operatively connected as at 15 so that the torpedo may be readily released at will by the aviator or pilot seated in the body of the aeroplane. It is, of course, obvious that the torpedo need not be suspended from beneath the aeroplane but may be mounted for discharge in any approved or convenient manner.

The torpedo l2 embodyin my invention is constructed more particu arly as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. It is constructed with the usual shell 16, in the head of which is carried the usual charge of explosive at 17 and adapted to be detonated by the usual firing pin, as shown at 18. This firing pin, as

efore pointed out, is arranged so as not to discharge the torpedo on contact with the water. To this end it is made relatively small and mounted centrally in the head of the torpedo so that the pressure of the water on it will be as small as compatible with the design of torpedoes generally. I

The torpedo 12 is provided also with the usual ropeller indicated at 19 adapted to be dri en by motor 20 through the instrumentality of shaft 19'. The motor 20, as shown, is electrical and adapted to be supplied with electrical energy from anyconvenient source, shown here as a battery 21, which may be either primary or secondary. Of course any other suitable form of motor ma be employed if desired.

n order that the torpedo may be set in motion as soon as it ali hts on the surface of the water, it is pre er'able to release it in such manner that it strikes the Water cupied by tially greater than that 00- the object to be attacked.

6. The combination with a diligiblc automobile torpedo h 5 means operated when startln the drlvmg motor, a steerwater for ing rudder, an

aving a driving motor, of the torpedo strikes the connections between the rudder and the driving motor for gradually and uniformly varying the position of the rudder to cause the torpedo to advance in a 10 spiral path to cover a prescribed area.

In witness whereof, I have here to set. my hand this 10th day of November 916. EDWARD -D. PRiEsT. 

